This is an Erie Times-News file photo of Jeffrey DelFuoco. The photo was made Dec. 30, 2010. ROB ENGELHARDT/ERIE TIMES-NEWS

New Erie County Councilman Edward J. DiMattio Jr. is upset that former councilman Ebert Beeman's lawyer has cited a family relationship with DiMattio as the reason he's asked for court permission to withdraw as Beeman's counsel.

Jeffrey J. Del Fuoco, in a Thursday court filing, wrote that he is the second cousin of DiMattio, who was appointed by County Council on Dec. 21 to serve the remainder of Beeman's four-year term, which expires at the end of 2013.

"I have been introduced to Mr. Del Fuoco once and that took place just four months ago," DiMattio said. "And other than the obligatory 'Nice to meet you,' I have never carried on a conversation with him."

Beeman was removed from office by a judge in the wake of his conviction and jail sentence on federal Social Security fraud charges. He was first elected in 2009, and the 6th District seat will be on the 2013 primary ballot.

Del Fuoco has challenged Beeman's removal in court.

DiMattio, 50, a Republican from Waterford, represents County Council's 6th District, which includes most of southern Erie County.

Del Fuoco said he filed the paperwork to make the court aware of a "familial relationship."

"Whether (DiMattio) likes it or not, we are related," Del Fuoco said. "It's up to the court to decide if there's a conflict. ... I have a duty to the court and to Mr. Beeman to let them know what's going on."

DiMattio said he "would like to put the Beeman/Del Fuoco issue behind (me) and get down to work on the issues at hand" on County Council.

KEVIN FLOWERS can be reached at 870-1693 or by e-mail. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/ETNflowers.